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The effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for emotional distress in non-clinical adult populations: a systematic review.

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Title: The effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for emotional distress in non-clinical adult populations: a systematic review.
Authors: Martí Esquitino, Jesús (AUTHOR), Fernandez-Serrano, Ana Belen (AUTHOR), Fernandez Zomeño, Alejandro (AUTHOR), Lopez Lopez, Reyes (AUTHOR), Martinez Serrano, Jose (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Mental Health. Jun2026, Vol. 35 Issue 3, p375-392. 18p.
Subjects: Support groups, Psychological distress, Research funding, Group psychotherapy, Treatment effectiveness, Psychological well-being, Systematic reviews, MEDLINE, Psychology information storage & retrieval systems, Evaluation, Middle age, Old age, Adults
Abstract: Background: The demand for healthcare due to emotional distress from daily challenges has grown rapidly. Many individuals do not meet criteria for a mental disorder, yet psychotropic medication is often the first-line response. Group-based psychological interventions have emerged as alternatives for reducing emotional distress, but their effectiveness in non-clinical populations remains unclear. Objectives: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of group-based interventions in reducing emotional distress among non-clinical adults. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases from January 2013 to March 2025. Eligible studies included interventions targeting adults with non-clinical distress. Studies were excluded if participants had a diagnosed mental disorder or if the absence of diagnosis was unclear. Results: A total of 4,942 records were identified (3,980 through database searching and 962 through backward citation tracking), including 20 studies. Most interventions produced significant improvements. Mindfulness-based approaches were most frequent, either alone or integrated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Relaxation techniques also showed independent benefits. Discussion: Most interventions were psychoeducational, with mindfulness most widely applied. No significant differences were observed between intervention types. Findings highlight the potential of diverse psychological strategies to improve well-being in non-clinical adults, while stressing the need for further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Mental Health is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: The effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for emotional distress in non-clinical adult populations: a systematic review.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Martí+Esquitino%2C+Jesús%22">Martí Esquitino, Jesús</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fernandez-Serrano%2C+Ana+Belen%22">Fernandez-Serrano, Ana Belen</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fernandez+Zomeño%2C+Alejandro%22">Fernandez Zomeño, Alejandro</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lopez+Lopez%2C+Reyes%22">Lopez Lopez, Reyes</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Martinez+Serrano%2C+Jose%22">Martinez Serrano, Jose</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: The demand for healthcare due to emotional distress from daily challenges has grown rapidly. Many individuals do not meet criteria for a mental disorder, yet psychotropic medication is often the first-line response. Group-based psychological interventions have emerged as alternatives for reducing emotional distress, but their effectiveness in non-clinical populations remains unclear. Objectives: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of group-based interventions in reducing emotional distress among non-clinical adults. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases from January 2013 to March 2025. Eligible studies included interventions targeting adults with non-clinical distress. Studies were excluded if participants had a diagnosed mental disorder or if the absence of diagnosis was unclear. Results: A total of 4,942 records were identified (3,980 through database searching and 962 through backward citation tracking), including 20 studies. Most interventions produced significant improvements. Mindfulness-based approaches were most frequent, either alone or integrated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Relaxation techniques also showed independent benefits. Discussion: Most interventions were psychoeducational, with mindfulness most widely applied. No significant differences were observed between intervention types. Findings highlight the potential of diverse psychological strategies to improve well-being in non-clinical adults, while stressing the need for further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Mental Health is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=194088912
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/09638237.2026.2646319
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 18
        StartPage: 375
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Support groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological distress
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Group psychotherapy
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      – SubjectFull: Treatment effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological well-being
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      – SubjectFull: Systematic reviews
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: MEDLINE
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      – SubjectFull: Psychology information storage & retrieval systems
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      – SubjectFull: Evaluation
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      – SubjectFull: Middle age
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      – SubjectFull: Old age
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      – SubjectFull: Adults
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for emotional distress in non-clinical adult populations: a systematic review.
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            NameFull: Lopez Lopez, Reyes
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              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 35
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